Pilatus said strong demand for its aircraft despite difficult economic conditions helped propel the company to “one of its best years ever.”
Sales in 2022 totaled $1.38 billion, with operating income of about $240 million and orders totaling $1.7 billion. The company said it improved on its 2021 performance with deliveries of 40 PC-24s, 80 PC-12 NGXs, 10 PC-21s, and 3 PC-6s in 2022, as reported also in the General Aviation Manufacturers Association annual deliveries report released last week.
Pilatus said its general aviation business unit entered a purchase agreement with U.S. charter airline and aircraft service company Tradewind Aviation for more than 20 PC-12 NGXs. The transaction nearly doubles the Tradewind fleet.
While successful overall, last year presented difficulties for the company including supply chain disruptions that had a negative effect on its production operations.
“Rarely has the company had to operate in such a geopolitically unpredictable period. Never before have we encountered such serious supply chain difficulties,” said Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher. “Pilatus has achieved a lot whilst also benefiting from exceptionally high demand for our unique aircraft.”
While aircraft deliveries account for a large share of the company’s results, its customer service business also grew by about 10 percent during the past year. Pilatus also grew through the acquisition of U.S. Pilatus dealer Skytech Inc. and its 93 full-time employees. Pilatus said Skytech will continue to sell and service PC-24s and PC-12s independently on the East Coast.
“Our PC-12 NGXs and PC-24s were, and are, absolute bestsellers, our order books are full,” said board chairman Hansueli Loosli. He said he also felt there is more potential for trainer sales despite receiving no new orders in that segment during 2022.
“I’m very confident that we will reel in an order soon,” Loosli said.
